Projection unit



June 4, 1935.

F. N. JONES PROJECTION UNIT Filed Sept. 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 4, 1935. N NES 2,003,890

PROJECTION UNIT Filed Sept. 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet June-4, 1935- JONES 2,003,890

PROJECTION UNIT Filed Sept. 16, 1932 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ill Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROJECTION UNIT Frank'N. Jones, Chicago, Ill. Application September 16, 1932, Serial No. 633,530 7 Claims. (01. 83-27) This invention relates to'a projection unit and more particularly to apparatus for projecting an image from a picture film upon a medium carried by the apparatus, the rays being completely housed throughout their course to the screen.

An object of the invention is to provide a compact unit in which a series of picture films may be intermittently exposed to light rays to project them upon a screen carried within the projection unit. Another object is to provide a compact casing structure in which the image rays are completely housed throughout their changing course within the casing structure to a partially opaquemedium supported by the casing and upon which the image is formed. A further object is to provide improved means for supporting the picture films and exposing them intermittently to the projection light rays. Another object is to provide improved ventilating and cooling means for the motor andlight filament. Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a sectional view in elevation of a paratus embodying my invention, the parts being of a portion of the picture disk members; Fig. 6,

a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. '7, a

broken plan view of a portion of the retaining plate or shoe; Fig. 8, an enlarged broken sectional View, the sectionbeing taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 9, a transverse sectional view,

the section being taken as indicated at line 9 of Fig. 8.

In the illustration given, A designates a main casing; B, a ray-housing casing communicating with the main casing A; C, a reflector; D, a projection lamp; E, condenser lenses; F, a picture film disk and associated parts for rotating the disk; G, projection lens; H, a prism; I, a mirror;

and J, a partially the image.

opaque medium for depicting The casing A may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it is formed of metal parts hinged together at and meeting .at the overlap of joint II.

On one side, the easingis perforated as indicated by the numeral l2 to admit air to the fan. On its top side, the casing is perforated preferably at l3 to permit the escape of heated air directly above the projection lamp I.

The ray-housing B may also be of any suitable construction or shape. In the illustration given, it is somewhat in the shape of a horn having an enlarged forward end l4 and a tapered lower end I5. Integrally formed with the lower end I5 is an inwardlyinclined portion [B which joins with the forwardly extending tube I]. In the forward end of the horn is supported the image medium J. In the mediate portion I8 is supported the mirror I by means of brackets l9 or other suitable means. In the forwardly inclined portion 16 is supported the prism H. And in the tubular portion I! are supported the lenses G. The lower portion of the housing B extends through the top of easing Aas indicated by the dotted square 20 in Fig. 2. With this arrangement, the projection lenses G are brought in alignment with the condenser lenses E and re- I fiector C. v The reflector C, the projection lamp and condenser lenses E may be of any suitable type or form of construction. The means for supporting these members will be described hereinafter. V i i v The picture disk F and the parts associated therewith for intermittently bringing one of the picture films in line with the lenses E andC require a more detailed description. The disk F is carried by shaft 22 which also carries loosely thereon the actuating gear 2|. As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the shaft is provided with a spacer flange 23 which separates disk F from the actuating or Geneva gear 2|. The forward end 24 of shaft 22 extends through the central aperture of disk F and is provided with a locking spring 25 releasably securing knob 26 upon the point 24. Shaft 22 is supported by the bracket arm 21 which in turn is supported by the collar 28- extending about the lens-casing 29. The collar 28 is carried by a standard 30 formed integrally with the base 31, a U-shaped bridge member-12 extending from the top portion of standard 30 behind the gear 2| and engaging the collar 28, asshown more clearly in Fig. 2.

The film disk F is preferably in the form of a thin disk centrally apertured so as to extend over the point 24 of shaft 22. As shown more clearly in Fig t), the disk is provided with a series of apertures 33 extending about the outer portion of the disk. Adjacent the apertures are attachment lugs 34 which are struck from the body of the metal outwardly so as to extend through aligned openings 35 in the retaining plates or shoes 36. Secured between the disk F and the retaining plates or shoes 36 are film pictures 31, or other translucent media. The films 31 are held in position by clamping the lugs 34, after they have passed through the slots 35 of shoes 36, against the outer face of the shoes. In the illustration given, I have shown a shoe 36 covering four film pictures, about four of the shoes being employed for each disk. It will be understood, however, that any number of shoes may be employed. However, by having a single shoe covering a number of film pictures, the process of assembling the pictureloaded disk is facilitated. In order to connect the disk F to the actuating gear 2|, the disk F is provided with a perforation 38 adapted to receive a stud 39 carried by the gear 2|.

The gear 2| is also provided with spaced apertures 40 which are aligned with the apertures 33 and 36 of the disk F and shoe 36 respectively. At its outer periphery, the gear 2| is provided with teeth 4| having slots 42 therebetween. Positioned adjacent the teeth 4| is a drive wheel 43 moimted upon shaft 44. The drive wheel 43 is formed by a pair of spaced disks and at one end, a pin 45 extends between the disks. Upon rotation of the disks, the pin 45 enters one of the slots 42 and causes an intermittent movement of the actuating gear 2|. The shaft 44 is driven continuously by motor 45. Encircling the motor 46 is a hollow casing having an open rear end and discharge ports 41 at its forward end. 1

'In order to circulate air through the casing of motor 46, I provide a fan 43, which is also driven by motor 46. 'The fan is housed within the tubular casing 49 which communicates with the perforations l2 of main casing A.

The circulating air is also employed to cool the projection film or lamp D by employing a box casing 50 which is secured to the top of casing A adjacent the exit apertures l3 and which extends downwardly around the lamp D. At the same time, the casing 50 is employed to support the reflector C which is secured to an attachment ring 5|, the ring being bolted to the housing 50. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, the housing 50 is formed'in two parts, the part 50 being secured to one side of the hinged casing and a part 50 being secured to the other hinged portion of the casing A. However, any suitable form of exit housing may be employed.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 4, the lenses E are enclosed within the tubular member 52 which extends through an aperture in the supporting standard 30. The exit casing 50 also is apertured to permit the tubular member 52 to extend therethrough.

In order to maintain the picture disk F constantly in true alignment with the condenser lenses E and the related parts, I provide the standard 30 with a flange extension 53 provided with a guide lip 54. A resilient spring is positioned opposite the guide lip 54 and is adapted to engage and urge the outer edge of disk F against lip 54. The

pressure exerted by the spring 55 is slight but yet sufficient to maintain true alignment of the disk 54 particularly at the point where the projection takes place.

The projection lenses G, which are housed within the tube |1 may be of any suitable construction.

The prism H may also be of any suitable construction. I prefer to coat the back side of the prism with a suitable reflecting material.

The mirror I, supported within the casing B, may be of any suitable type or construction.

The image-forming medium J may be of any suitable form or construction. I prefer to employ a partially opaque screen formed of etched glass or any other satisfactory material.

In the operation of the apparatus, a loaded disk F is placed upon the point 24 of shaft 22, the aperture 38 receiving the stud 39 of gear 2|. The disk F is then locked in position by extending the knob 26 over point 24 and into engagement with spring 25. The casing, which may be swung open to permitthe loading of the apparatus with a film disk, may then be closed to bring the parts in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. By throwing a switch (not shown), motor 46 is then started, driving the shaft 44 and the wheel 43 with a direct and slowly rotative movement. The pin 45 of the drive wheel 43 engages a slot 42 between the teeth 4| and shifts the floating gear 2| forward to a point at which the pin clears the gear. No

further movement of the gear takes place until the pin 45 has traveled again around the wheel 43 and is brought into engagement with the next slot 42. By this means, the individual films 31 are brought successively in alignment with the condenser lenses E and projection lenses G, each film being held in this position during the interval that elapses between the actuation of gear 2|. The light from the lamp D as reflected by the mirror C and condensed by the lenses E causes the rays to pass through film 31 and projection lenses G, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1. The prism H then directs the image rays in a course at right angles to the original course, and the mirror I changes the course again to one opposite the original course of the rays. The reflected rays from the mirror I strike the partially opaque medium J and present the image visible from the exterior of the apparatus.

The motor and lamp are kept cool by the circulation of air through the lateral apertures H, the casing of motor 46, from which the air is discharged through ports 41, and through the exit casing 50 communicating with the apertures I3 of easing A. The lamp D, being located within the casing 50 is within the path of the circulated air and the heat therefrom is carried away through the exit ports l3.

In unloading the apparatus, the operation is the reverse of that described. The casing A is drawn apart and the film disk F removed by releasing the knob 26 from the end of shaft 22. A new disk may then be placed upon point 24 of shaft 22, knob 26 replaced, and the motor started in operation to exhibit the films of the new disk.

Withthe construction illustrated, it will be observed that the image rays are housed within the casing throughout their entire course to the projection screen J. While in the illustration given, I have shown the ray housing, in the form of a horn and apart from the main housing, it will be understood that the image rays may be housed, if desired, within the main casing itself. It will be understood that my invention contemplates numerous changes in the design of the housing by which the image rays are projected upon a screen forming a part of the unit. The changing course of the image rays enables the projction unit to be compactly formed and to occupy a minimum of space.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing hinged together on one side, a projection lamp therein, complementary housing members carried by the hinged casing members and forming, when brought together, a housing extending about said lamp, perforations in the top of said casing communicating with said housing, means for concentrating the rays of light from said projection lamp, means for intermittently bringing picture films into alignment with said rays, an image screen, means for directing the rays from said films upon said screen, an intake opening, and fan means for circulating air from said intake through the housing about said lamp.

2. In combination with projection apparatus, a picture holder disk having spaced apertures therein and lugs struck therefrom adjacent the apertures, individual films adapted to be placed over said apertures, and segmental retaining plates extending over a plurality of said films and provided with slots adapted to receive the lugs of said disk.

3. An image film holder comprising a circular disk having spaced apertures therein and lugs struck therefrom, individual films over said apertures, and a segmental retaining member extending over a plurality of said films and provided with perforations aligned with perforations of said disk, said lugs of the disks extending through slots in said retaining member and being clamped against the outer face thereof.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth, a casing, a projection lamp, means for concentrating the rays therefrom, a film disk rotatably mounted in the casing, means for intermittently actuating the disk to bring films successively in the path of said rays, a fixed positioning member engaging one side of said disk, and resilient means engaging a portion of the surface on the opposite side of said disk'for maintaining said disk in aligmnent with the said rays.

5. In a device of the character set forth, a casing, a projection lamp, means for concentrating the rays therefrom, a fixed shaft, a driven gear rotatably mounted thereon, a picture film disk also mounted upon said shaft and spaced from said gear, releasable interlocking means connecting said gear and disk and comprising an aperture in one of the members and an apertureengaging stud secured to the other member, means engaging the end of the shaft and releasably securing said disk thereon, a motor, and means cooperating with said motor for intermittently actuating said gear. 4

6. In a projection unit, a casing comprising complementary housing members hinged together on one side and overlapping, when brought together, on their free'sides, a housing extending about said lamp, perforations in the top of said casing above said lamp, means for concentrating the rays of light from said projection lamp, motor driven means for intermittently bringing picture films into alignment with said rays, an image screen supported by said casing, means for directing the rays from said films upon said screen, an intake opening, and fan means for circulating air from said intake about said motor and through the housing about said lamp.

'7. In a device of the character set forth, 2. casing, a projection lamp, means for concentrating the rays therefrom, a fixed shaft, a driven gear rotatably mounted thereon, a picture film disk freely mounted upon said shaft and spaced from said gear, releasable interlocking means connecting said gear and disk, means engaging the end of the shaft and releasably securing said disk thereon, a motor, and means cooperating with said motor for intermittently actuating said gear.

FRANK N. JONES. 

